Robert E. Buck Utech

HERINGTON -  Robert “Buck” Utech was born January 4, 1930.  He departed this life on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at the age of 87.  He was the son of Walter William Utech, Sr. and he preceded in death in 1965, and Edna Josephine (Granzow) Utech, and she preceded in death in 2007 at age 101.  He is also preceded in death by his brothers W. W “Bill” Utech in 2014, Ernest Utech in 1983, and Paul Utech in 2015. 

He married Dixie Lee Shugar on September14, 1958, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church. They were the parents of three sons Robert “Bob”, Steven, and Thomas.  She preceded in death in 2012.

After thirty-six years working as an engineer for the Union Pacific/Rock Island Railroads, he retired in 1992.  He liked fishing in his spare time, but his passion was farming.  He liked to plant his wheat, watch it grow, and always ready to run his combine. He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church and sang in the choir for many years.  He liked to sing and sang at many weddings and funerals.  He always said it was an honor to be a part of these special moments in time. He served in the U. S. Navy in Hawaii during the Korean War.   He graduated from Herington High School with the class of 1948.

He is survived by his three sons, Robert Utech (Christi) of Shawnee, Steven Utech (Pam) of Bennington, NE, Dr. Thomas Utech (Kyle West) of San Diego, CA; a brother James Utech (Cheryl) of Junction City; a sister Teresa Staatz (Raymond) of Pipestone, MN; four grandchildren, Hailey, Zachary, Connor, and Evan Utech.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at 10:00am at the St. Paul Lutheran Church - Herington, with Pastor Colleen Teeuwe, officiating.  A private committal will follow at the Sunset Hill Cemetery.  Pallbearers for the service are Tim, Utech, Dan Utech, Keith Albrecht, Trenton Granzow, Todd Utech, Bryn Utech, and honorary pallbearers are Paul Cohan,Jim Schimming, Charlie Everhart, Roger Diekmann, and Dr. Robert Novak.

The family requests memorials to the St. Paul Lutheran Church; and may be sent in care of the Zeiner Funeral Home-Herington Chapel,  404 S. Broadway, Herington, KS 67449-3038.